I found the best hot dog in America in 2016 — and it's not where you'd expect

From the apocalyptic to the apoplectic, we can all agree that
this year has put us through the ringer.

Yet for all that has occurred, one wonderful thing sticks
out in my mind amidst the bad: I found perhaps the best hot dog
in the country.

Costco's.

I'm no hot-dog connoisseur, but of all I've tried in my life thus
far, Costco's is the
best yet.

How is the nation's best hot dog from such a bare-bones place as
the Costco cafeteria?

First of all, it's a great value. You can order a hot dog
and a drink for $1.50 — that's it. And considering how large the
hot dog is, it's definitely an outrageous deal.

But a deal alone isn't enough to sway most. The expectations are
understandably low for a Costco meal. But on that first bite,
it's abundantly clear that this is no run-of-the-mill hot
dog.

Hollis
Johnson

The dog is unexpectedly flavorful. Gone is the bland, hollow
taste of the average hot dog; instead, a delightful smoky
taste pervades, similar to a kielbasa sausage but not as
fatty or rich. There's a slight charred taste to it that
isn't overpowering. It's juicy, and there's a satisfying snap
with every bite.

This is not the lifeless frankfurter that one microwaves for 30
seconds before chopping up and throwing in some ill-conceived
mac-and-cheese dinner. Nay — this dog has vitality. The
condiments aren't needed to mask the soul-crushing saltiness
that they normally would, but simply to compliment the already
delicious hot dog.

Speaking of condiments: Ketchup, mustard, relish, onions,
and sauerkraut — if you're into that — are all at your
disposal at Costco's commissary. Such freedom is truly a
national treasure worthy of our patronage.

Hollis
Johnson

The bun is deceptively simple — what's in a bun, after all? It's
seen as the vehicle, not the cargo. Yet the bun is the
unsung hero of this hot dog.

It's soft and pliant, and tastes lightly sweet, which complements
the dog itself perfectly. But the real magic happens when the
condiments are dumped on the dog with wild abandon — precisely
because nothing happens. The bun is immune to shabby sogginess or
untimely breakage. It's truly miraculous.

By all means, grill your own hot dogs in the backyard — char them
if you must. But if you find yourself heading to Costco to stock
up on huge amounts of paper napkins, meat for the grill, etc., do
yourself a favor and grab a hot dog on the way out. Holiday hot
dogs are totally a thing.